ORLANDO — A long way from the 2007 World Series and the cold-blooded saves of a magical fall, Manuel Corpas was quietly released by the Rockies today, according to a major league source.

As I first reported on Twitter earlier, the Rockies cut ties with the right-handed reliever to create more room on their 40-man roster. In doing so, the Rockies will have to eat the $3.75-million remaining on the final year of his contract, less any salary he would make from another team.

Corpas underwent elbow ligament surgery in September, making it unlikely he will pitch until August. He has been working out in Denver and knew this move was a possibility for a few weeks.

Corpas posted a 4.62 ERA last season, while serving as human duct tape for the bullpen in the first half. He filled in as everything from the longman to the closer before his elbow gave out.

Notes from Lobby at the GM meetings:
–Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca isn’t going anywhere. The Pirates have an internal candidate for Clint Hurdle’s staff. Rockies’ Triple-A manager Stu Cole, however, appears headed to Pittsburgh to join Hurdle. Be a good fit for Cole, who can coach infielders and third base, if necessary.

–Rockies are not involved in trade talks with anyone right now, doing more fact-finding than anything. As it relates to finding a right-handed bat, they still have interest in pursuing Washington’s Josh Willingham and the Angels’ Mike Napoli. But Colorado is reluctant to give up any young pitching. Translation: Jhoulys Chacin, Tyler Matzek, Christian Friedrich and Rex Brothers are off limits.

–Top catching prospect Wil Rosario is recovering ahead of schedule following September ACL surgery. There’s a chance he could report to camp on time with few limitations. Obviously, May is a more realistic target date for playing in games, but April has not been ruled out. Rosario is the primary reason the Rockies aren’t looking for a longterm solution at catcher in free agency.

ORLANDO — In a touch of class at baseball’s indsutry meetings, Rockies’ late president Keli McGregor was honored with a 10-minute video presentation Monday night.

Those in attendance were moved by the show. Just 48, McGregor passed away in April from a viral infection that caused his heart to beat improperly.

The Rockies have missed McGregor deeply given his extensive involvement in so many areas. There was a time during the season that it appeared that Clint Hurdle might be brought back to serve as the club’s president. But owner Dick Monfort has taken on many of McGregor’s responsibilities with other members of the front office helping out as well.

Hurdle was named the Pirates’ manager Monday.

Other news and notes from the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando:

–The Rockies are believed to be watching Bartolo Colon’s comeback attempt in the winter league. Genera manager Dan O’Dowd knows Colon from their days together in Cleveland. As with Jermaine Dye, the Rockies will express interest, but are looking for a low-risk, high-reward investment. In other words, easy on the emails to me about these guys signing for X amount. The commitment would be minimal.

–It’s becoming more and more likely that free agent Jake Westbrook will re-sign with the Cardinals. St. Louis is trying to land Westbrook with a two-year deal with an option. Or something in that range. If Westbrook goes off the board, that leaves Jon Garland and Javier Vazquez as Rockies’ targets. Vazquez, however, has had a stated preference to pitch on the East Coast.

–Hiroki Kuroda’s one-year, $12-million deal is surprising given his talent. But he preferred it this way for two reasons — he likes proving himself and wants the option of returning to Japan after the season. The Rockies were interested in Kuroda, but the pitcher told the L.A. Times that he never listed to any offers from other teams.

–Top Rockies’ prospect Tyler Matzek is training this winter at Athletes Performance in California. Matzek was terrific last season in Class-A ball, and is expected to move quickly through the Rockies’ system. Other than Chin-Hui Tsao, the Rockies have never had a young pitcher with an arm like Matzek. And Matzek is left-handed.

–It will be interesting to see if Hurdle calls on old friend Bob Apodaca, the Rockies’ pitching coach. Apodaca has been with Hurdle as a manager in the minors and big leagues at every stop.

–Gotta believe with Hurdle in Pittsburgh that the Pirates will make a play for Jorge De La Rosa and Jeff Francis. Pittsburgh has already expressed interest in De La Rosa. It’s unknown if they have called about Francis.

–Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson interviewed Cardinals coach Jose Oquendo for the vacant managerial spot. Terry Collins is believed to be the slight favorite followed by former Arizona and Seattle manager Bob Melvin

–The Rockies aren’t in on second baseman Dan Uggla, someone they talked about last winter. The Marlins appear intent on moving Uggla after he turned down a four-year, $48-million million extension recently. The Rockies love his bat, but I don’t see them surrendering top prospects for a potential rental player. It would be out of character. Now, if they thought they were going to sign him longterm, that’s a different story.

–Everyone asks about trade candidates for the Rockies: Cut and paste Mike Napoli and Josh Willingham. The Rockies would like to sign Conor Jackson if he’s non-tendered by Oakland. As for Colby Rasmus, it appears there’s no chance the Cardinals will trade him. This is a fluid list.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.